| Building equipment component control with automatic feature detection -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Building equipment component control with automatic feature detectionRelated Patent Categories: Electric Resistance Heating Devices, Specific Application:, With Heat Storage Means, Means To Control Heating Accumulating MediumBuilding equipment component control with automatic feature detection description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070177857, Building equipment component control with automatic feature detection. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to building equipment components, and more particularly to building equipment component controllers with automatic equipment detection and control. BACKGROUND [0002] Commercial and residential buildings employ a variety of different building equipment components. Examples of typical building equipment components include heating and cooling equipment such as furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and the like. Other examples of typical building equipment components include water heaters, air exchangers and other ventilation equipment and similar equipment. A variety of HVAC equipment employ dampers, zone valves and the like. [0003] In particular, water heaters are used in homes, businesses and just about any establishment having the need for heated water. Water heaters often heat water using the simple "heat rises" principle. In operation, water heaters typically heat cold or ambient temperature water entering at or near the bottom of the water heater to a desired temperature using a gas-fired burner, an electric heater or some other heater element. During a heating cycle, the cold or ambient temperature water at or near the bottom of the water heater becomes hotter and begins to rise towards the top of the water heater. Cooler and denser water, once on top of the water being heated, falls toward the bottom of the water heater so that it can be heated or reheated to the desired temperature. After the temperature of the water at the bottom of the water heater reaches a certain desired temperature, the water heater typically stops heating the water for a period of time. [0004] When demand for hot water arises (e.g., someone turns on a faucet to run a shower), fresh, cold or ambient temperature water enters the water heater and "pushes out" or supplies the hotter water at or near the top of the water heater. When a sufficient amount of the hotter water exits from the top of the water heater so that the fresh, cold or ambient temperature water entering the bottom causes the temperature of the water at the bottom of the tank to drop below a set point temperature, the water heater typically turns on and repeats the heat cycling described above. [0005] A conventional water heater typically has at least one heating element or "heater," such as a gas-fired and/or electric burner. To take advantage of the "heat-rises" principle, the heater is typically located at or near the bottom of the water heater tank. Each water heater typically also has at least one thermostat or controller for controlling the heater. [0006] To facilitate the heating of water, the controller often receives signals related to the temperature of the water. When these signals indicate that the water temperature is below a first set point, for example, when the water temperature is below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the controller turns on the heater and the water at or near the bottom of the water heater begins to heat. After some time, the temperature of the water at the bottom of the water heater will increase to a second set point, which, for example, may be about 140 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature at the bottom of the tank is indicated as being greater than the second set point, the controller typically causes the heater to reduce its heat output or, alternatively, causes the heater to turn off. The heat cycle begins again when the temperature of the water at the bottom of the water heater drops below the first set point. [0007] Some water heaters rely upon a single water temperature sensor, while others employ two water temperature sensors. In some cases, using two water temperature sensors, such as one at or near the top of a water heater and a second at or near the bottom of a water heater, may provide improved temperature control resulting in energy savings, higher hot water capacity, and greater potential safety. [0008] As described above, the hottest water in a water heater may typically be found at or near the top of the water heater tank. As a result, the water at or near the top of the water heater tank may be substantially hotter than the water at or near the bottom of the water heater tank, such as where a single water temperature sensor may be located. This means that the water at or near the top of the water heater tank may be hotter or even substantially hotter than a lower, safer temperature, such as may be indicated by the water temperature sensor at or near the bottom of the water heater tank. [0009] Thus, in some cases a water heater includes a second temperature sensor that may be positioned at or near the top of the water heater tank, in order to provide the controller with information pertaining to the water temperature at or near the top of the water heater tank. The second temperature sensor positioned at or near the top of the water heater tank may also be useful in reducing or eliminating stratification, which may occur as a result of frequent small hot water withdrawals from the water heater tank. SUMMARY [0010] The present invention relates generally to building equipment components, and more particularly to building equipment component controllers with automatic equipment detection and control. [0011] Accordingly, an example embodiment of the present invention may be found in a method of operating building equipment, the building equipment component including an element. The presence of the element may be detected. In some instances, whether or not the element is required for proper operation may be determined, although this is not required. In some cases, the building equipment component may be operated if the element is present and required, or if the element is not required. If the element is required but absent, the building equipment component may be stopped. In some instances, the building equipment component may include a required first sensor, and the element may be an optional second sensor. [0012] In some instances, the element may be determined to be required if the element is detected at least once. The building equipment component may have an operational cycle, and determining if the element is present may occur during each operational cycle. In some cases, the building equipment component may be a water heater, and determining if the element is present may occur each time the water heater enters a heating period. Operating the building equipment component may, in some cases, include operating a heat source. Conversely, stopping the building equipment component may include stopping the heat source. [0013] Another illustrative but non-limiting example of the present invention may be found in a method of operating a building equipment component that includes a first sensor and a second sensor. A presence of the first sensor may be checked for, and the building equipment component may be disabled if the first sensor is not detected. A presence of the second sensor may be checked for. If the second sensor is required but not detected, the building equipment component may be disabled, if desired. If the second sensor is required and detected, operation of the building equipment component may be enabled. [0014] In some cases, the second sensor may be deemed to be required if the second sensor is detected at least three times. The building equipment component may include a heat source. In some cases, the heat source may be a fuel burner or an electrical heating element. [0015] Another illustrative but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may be found in a method of operating a water heater that includes a first sensor and may include a second sensor. A presence of the first sensor may be detected. A presence or absence of the second sensor may be detected. The water heater may be operated in a first mode if the first sensor is present and the second sensor is absent. The water heater may be operated in a second mode if the first sensor and the second sensor are both present. In some cases, the first mode may be different from the second mode, although this is not required. [0016] In some instances, the water heater may be stopped if the second sensor is subsequently removed after being detected. The water heater may be stopped if the second sensor is removed after a given period of time has elapsed after initial detection of the second sensor. In some cases, the water heater may be stopped if the second sensor has been removed after, for example, a given number of water heater cycles after initial detection of the second sensor. [0017] Operating the water heater in a first mode may, in some instances, include operating the water heater using sensor input from the first sensor. Operating the water heater in a second mode may, in some cases, include operating the water heater using sensor input from the first sensor and from the second sensor. The first sensor may be a first temperature sensor, if desired. The second sensor may be a second temperature sensor. The first water sensor may be positioned at or near the bottom of the water heater and the second sensor may be positioned at or near the top of the water heater. [0018] Another illustrative but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may be found in a controller that is adapted to control a building equipment component that optionally includes an element. The controller may be adapted to detect if the element is attached or absent. The controller may operate the building equipment component in a first operating mode when the element is attached and in a second operating mode when the element is absent. [0019] In some instances, the building equipment component may be a water heater. In some cases, the water heater may include a first water temperature sensor, and the element may be a second water temperature sensor. The controller may include a first sensor input that may be connected to the first water temperature sensor, a second sensor input that may be connected to the second water temperature sensor, and a microcontroller adapted to recognize signals received by the first sensor input and the second sensor input. [0020] Another illustrative but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may be found in a controller that is adapted to control a building equipment component, the building equipment component optionally including an element. In some cases, the building equipment component may be a water heater, and the water heater may include a first water temperature sensor and the element may include a second water temperature sensor. [0021] The controller may be adapted to detect whether the element is attached or absent, and thus provide a detected element status. The controller may be adapted to remember if the element is attached or absent, and thus provide a stored element status. Operation of the appliance may be allowed only when the detected or current element status matches the stored element status. Continue reading about Building equipment component control with automatic feature detection... Full patent description for Building equipment component control with automatic feature detection Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Building equipment component control with automatic feature detection patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Building equipment component control with automatic feature detection or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ground heating device Next Patent Application: Fluid-heating apparatus, circuit for heating a fluid, and method of operating the same Industry Class: Electric resistance heating devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Building equipment component control with automatic feature detection patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.23295 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
